W.Va. panel moves higher tobacco tax hike than governor's

Updated 12:26 pm, Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Republican-led committee tweaked the Democratic governor's bill Wednesday. It heads to the Senate floor.

Tomblin's plan would have raised the cigarette tax by 45 cents to $1, raised a tax on other tobacco products and taxed e-cigarettes. It would have yielded $78 million additional annually and $18.9 million to help balance the 2016 budget.

Instead, senators approved an amendment to increase the tax by $1 to $1.55, and dedicate the money to state employee and retiree health plans. It would bring in $112.5 million more annually, not just $78 million.